Artenio Romero, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Artenio Romero, Jr. (RA19365858), Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Sergeant First Class Romero distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 May 1968 during a combat mission against a battalion-sized enemy force located on a ridge near the village of Phu Vinh Dong. The enemy held extremely well fortified positions. Sergeant Romero’s company came under a devastating mortar attack as it neared the North Vietnamese fortifications. Sergeant Romero organized and deployed his men to provide suppressive fire on the attackers, and then began a personal assault on the enemy bunkers. After successfully destroying three emplacements, he learned that his platoon leader and another man were wounded and pinned down in front of the bunker line. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he moved across open terrain through a withering hail of bullets to aid the men. Reaching them, he dressed their wounds and assisted them to safety. He next learned that another man had been shot and pinned down within ten meters of an enemy trench. As he started up the steep slope toward the man he encountered and killed two North Vietnamese soldiers about to overrun a friendly machine gun crew. Continuing toward the injured man, he was fired at by an enemy soldier hiding in a hole only a few feet from him. The bullet pierced his helmet and threw him to the ground. Despite his dazed condition, he got up and killed his attacker. Along with several volunteers who had moved up to assist him, he again advanced up the hill. He and two other men were wounded by the heavy enemy fire. Sergeant Romero gave first aid to himself and the other two casualties and then helped carry them back to safety. Undaunted by the strong opposition he returned to the battle and destroyed the enemy bunker which had halted his rescue attempt. He then advanced to extract his fallen comrade, but this time the wounded man’s position had been overrun. The North Vietnamese were assaulting toward Sergeant Romero and their increased volume of fire forced him to withdraw to the main body of the company. Platoon Sergeant Romero’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4036 (August 20, 1968)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Artenio Romero, Jr., Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Romero distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 8 February 1968 while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, Americal Division, General Orders No. 8879 (November 18, 1968)